Follow Me: Summer time is vacation time

Tips on where to go and how to get there

Will your summer vacation take you to Le Seuer Cheetah Preserve in South Africa? (Yvonne Lanelli — For the Ruidoso News)

Three glorious months of summer stretch before you. How best to enjoy your vacation?

Follow my tips for your best holiday yet!

Vacation or stay-cation?

Been saving all year for a splurge in Hawaii or the Caribbean? Dreaming of backpacking in the Swiss Alps? Or do you yearn to be pampered on a cruise?

Or is it time to explore the wonders of our Land of Enchantment — Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Santa Fe, Native American Pueblos, White Sands National Monument, Old Lincoln's treasured history or camping and hiking our Lincoln National Forest!

Imagination rules!

Affinity groups such as your university alumni, over age 50, automobile association, insurance company or credit card company now fill your Snail Mail box with colorful flyers and brochures. Sign up on their emailing lists and watch your inbox fill with dreams.

Fly, drive or ... ?

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Families may find car trips most economical, but travelers of all ages may also consider train travel or bus (Amtrak.com; Greyhound.com) as a less expensive, less stressful and more scenic alternative to negotiating freeways, searching for gas stations and motels.

Many trains or busses travel overnight, letting you sleep onboard instead of a hotel.

Train and bus stations are typically located in downtown areas (versus airports which will be miles from city centers), so you'll easily access downtown hotels, local transportation and restaurants, obviating the need for a rental car.

Flying of course remains the fastest way to travel cross country or internationally, but expect to pay higher prices for the convenience.

Fly me to the moon ... or Disneyworld!

If flying is your travel choice, research flights now. I start with Cheapoair.com to get an idea of which airline flies where for how much I do not purchase my ticket from that site however, but from the airline's website where I'll get more perks such as discounts, upgrades, free bags with that airline's credit card, etc.

Note that Southwest Airlines, an industry leader in affordable fares, no baggage or change fees and superior comfort and service, does not participate in sites such as Cheapoair, Travelocity, Expedia and other airline ticket brokers. Check Southwest's site (southwest.com) before you buy anything.

Hola, amigo! Bonjour, mes amis!

Traveling outside the US? Is your passport up-to-date? Remember, most countries won't let you in unless you have at least six months before your passport expires--and some countries such as Kenya, India and others require a full blank page for visas.

And speaking of visas, while many popular destinations such as Great Britain do not require visas for US citizens or other destinations such as Egypt issue visas on arrival, check State.gov to see if your destination requires a visa in advance. Allow at least two months if applying for a visa in advance.

If traveling to Mexico or Canada, U.S. citizens now need a passport if flying or a passport card if driving.

Haven't decided where you'll go this summer? Then follow me!

Next time: Two years ago a fire-breathing dragon ravaged our kingdom ... a story of survival.

Join award-winning photojournalist Yvonne Lanelli (www.EVLanelli.com) adventures around the world every two weeks exclusively in the Ruidoso News/Vámonos.